Answered Question - Disney Parks Moms Panel

We are visiting WDW in December with 5 adults and 2 children (ages 5 and 11 months). We will be staying at a private rental home 2 miles away from parks and traveling by car from Texas. Any ideas on a sample itinerary that will include both children?

- Asked by Beth from Texas on 11/7/2013

Beth,

Since you have a car, you will really have a lot of freedom to plan out your days. That is a great asset to a good time! Some things to consider;

How many days in each park? Since I don't know how many days you are going to be visiting, and when those days fall in December, it is hard to plan out a day-by-day itinerary. But my rule of thumb is this: Do 2 days in the Magic Kingdom for each day in each other park. So 1 day in Epcot, 1 in Hollywood Studios, 1 in Animal Kingdom, and 2 in Magic Kingdom. Any additional days on your trip mean more Magic Kingdom days. If you have fewer than 5 days, then cancel non-Magic Kingdom days, starting with Epcot and the Animal Kingdom.

Afternoon delight! Even though it means getting back in the car, drive back to your rental in the afternoons for rest and relaxation. Naps will ensure your kids make it through the week without a case of the "grumpies".

Save receipts. If you park in the morning in the Magic Kingdom lot, and then go to another park in the evening, you should not have to pay again for parking, if you saved your receipt.

When in doubt, choose magic. If you are unsure of where to go what day, always go with the Magic Kingdom. Remember that the other parks will be there years from now when you come back to visit, but the Magic Kingdom is the ideal park for your two kids now.

Avoid Extra Magic Hours. You can't use them (because you are not staying at a Disney resort hotel), and they make whatever park enjoys them that day have larger crowds. So go to a different park and bask in the shorter lines!

If you send me dates of your visit, and if you plan on park hopping, I can give you park-by-park recommendations.

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